WikiRug:Book of the week/2020/21

The Atlas of Rugs and Carpets: A Comprehensive Guide for the Buyer and Collector
Author: David Black

The Atlas of Rugs and Carpets: A Comprehensive Guide for the Buyer and Collector by David Black provides the interested layperson with an overview of carpet history, production, and design. The main part of the volume is a gazetteer, with maps, of carpet production areas the world over. Data for each region include history and typical characteristics of carpets woven in that area; clear photographs provide visual examples. The atlas covers not only Oriental carpets, but also European and North American. A few words of advice on the buying and care of carpets are appended. A good choice for public libraries. Shahsavan is an extraordinary work, a thorough portrait of an almost extinct art form. The Shahsavan are a confederation of Turkish-speaking tribes who inhabit northwest Iran. Given the political state of Iran and the breakup of tribal traditions, the rugs illustrated hereprimarily flat weaves with specific tribal usesare rarely produced anymore. The work is very well written and translated, and, despite the wealth of scholarly detail, can be appreciated by anyone with a love for and interest in carpets. The many clear diagrams and charts make this a good choice for weavers as well.